horror story

noun

: an account of an unsettling or unfortunate occurrence
heard horror stories about recent layoffs
also : something unsettling or unfortunate
his childhood was a horror story

Examples of horror story in a Sentence

We've all heard horror stories about airlines losing people's luggage. Her childhood was a horror story.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Complaints and horror stories about permitting delays have permeated the U.S. energy space in recent years, but such delays are not a part of the story for this specific facility. David Blackmon, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Residents of the greater Toronto area now share horror stories of violent home invasions. David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 Owners shared horror stories of their cats and dogs going to the bathroom inside the house. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 The trailer, out January 9, promises a full examination of Diddy’s legacy, including his impact on the music business and horror stories. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for horror story 

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of horror story was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near horror story

Cite this Entry

“Horror story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horror%20story. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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